Data storage card having both linear and annular data regions

ABSTRACT

A data storage card having optical and magnetic data storage regions, and formed to cooperatively engage both a drive mechanism of a magnetic stripe reader and a drive mechanism of an optical data reader. The card includes a card body defining first and second opposed generally planar surfaces. The card further includes first and second longitudinal edges disposed in spaced opposed relation along the perimeter of the card body. The card further includes first and second lateral edges disposed perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal edges disposed in spaced opposed relation along the perimeter of the card body. The card further includes at least one annular optical data region disposed on at least one of the first and second surfaces. The card further includes at least one magnetic linear data region disposed on at least one of the first and second surfaces. The card further includes an optical carriage engaging aperture formed in the card body to engage a drive mechanism to an optical data reader. Optionally, the card further includes an aperture sheath engageable to the card body and displaceable to extend across the aperture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/309,743, filed May 11, 1999, entitled DATA STORAGE CARDHAVING BOTH LINEAR AND ANNULAR DATA REGIONS now abandoned.

(Not Applicable)

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

(Not Applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of portable storagedevices for electronic data, and more specifically to card-type deviceshaving both linear magnetic and annular optical data storage regions,such data regions possessing the capability to be written at least onceand read several times.

As technological advances have created more powerful and sophisticatedelectronic equipment at astounding speeds over the years, the size ofthe software, programs and generated data have grown at proportionallyhigher rates. Technology that was once 4-bit resolution became 8-bit,which in turn became 16-bit and so forth. As a result, the need forhigher capacity data storage has been triggered by such developingtechnology. For example, at one time, early consumer image scanners wereonly capable of scanning black and white images, which were typically nomore than 300 kilobytes in size (approximately ⅙ the storage capacity ofa standard floppy diskette). Today, high resolution consumer color imagescanners produce images with millions of colors which are typically aslarge as 100 megabytes or greater (approximately 50 floppy diskettes).Thus, such advancements in technology demand higher capacity datastorage and clearly, such advancements have created a need for a mediumcapable of supporting such technology.

Ideally, a medium which is portable and easy to carry, highly durableand reliable, generally familiar to the consumer, and has an establishedbase of compatible readers/writers is needed to fill this void. Creditcards have emerged as a standard medium that fits these qualifications.Credit cards are wallet-sized, made of a durable substrate such asplastic, can be embossed with numbers and/or letters, and possess anestablished market for the use and storage of such cards. Furthermore,consumers are familiar with the way credit cards work and are generallycomfortable with using them. Cards in the shape of a credit card are inuse by a variety of different companies for the purpose of identifyingcustomers and storing vital information, as demonstrated by the existinguse of Automatic Teller Machine (“ATM”) cards, driver's licensesmembership cards, and other access cards produced for the purposes ofidentification.

However, credit cards in their current state have a severe limitationwhich impedes their ability to be used for more sophisticated purposes.Conventional access cards implementing a magnetic stripe have thecapability of storing only a minimal amount of data. Generally, this issufficient for storing and transmitting simple information such asaccount numbers and other information which does not require a greatdeal of data storage space. However, the magnetic stripe alone isinsufficient to store large amounts of data. Thus, a higher capacitymedia used in conjunction with the standardized credit card medium mayenhance the capabilities of the current credit cards and similar accesscards.

Although several different forms of media with high data storagecapacities are available, two have emerged as standards: magnetic dataregions and optical data regions. Magnetic data storage involves theelectrical encoding of analog or digital information on a magneticsurface. Magnetic data stripes found on credit cards are “swiped”linearly past the detector/encoder element of the read/write device.Magnetic media, as found in floppy diskettes, hard disk drives, andremovable disks, is capable of storing larger amounts of data byspinning the storage material around an axis perpendicular to the planeof the surface of the storage material and aligning annular data“tracks” in either concentric parallel nested circular tracks or in asingle concentric spiral track.

Optical data regions provide significantly larger storage capacitiesover magnetic media of comparable size. Two types of optical regionshave been developed: those implemented in an annular fashion and thosecomposed of strips or are generally non-annular in form. Annular opticaldiscs are rapidly spun around a stationary assembly where data is thenread through a beam of focused light off of concentric or spiral datatracks embedded in the optical disc. Such discs are typically composedof three types of layers which vary in composition depending on the typeof optical disc. One layer is composed of a reflective material whichallows an optical lens to reflect the beam of focused light off theoptical disc and read the binary data back into the optical reader. Asecond layer contains the data, which is formed by marks or pits in apermanently encoded form found in mass manufactured audio CDs andcomputer CD-ROMs, or an organic dye polymer such as cyanine,phthalocyanine or azo as used in CD-Recordable discs. Alternatively,CD-Rewriteable discs utilize a polycrystalline layer that alternatesbetween “amorphous” and “ordered” states to mimic pits and marks. Boththe reflective layer and the data layer are embedded between two layersof a supporting structure, typically comprising a plastic, resin, orpolycarbonate substrate.

Non-annular optical data regions and optical strips are typicallycomposed of the similar types of material, yet can be less efficientthan annular optical data regions. Existing cards which utilizenon-annular optical regions or strips have severely limited datatransfer rates due to the excessive amount of time that is typicallyrequired to read data from the optical strip. To scan an optical strip,either the card or the scanning beam must continuously move back andforth along successive lines of the data track to read the data. Thisprocess requires a specialized apparatus specifically designed to readsuch optical strips, and also requires very high precision in alignmentof the card and scanning beams. It is due to this limitation that anumber of inventions utilizing such optical strips necessarily disclosea proprietary apparatus for reading and/or writing to the opticalstrips.

It is intended in this application that any reference to CD, DVD, and/orLD will include not only the listed formats, but also contemplates otheroptical formats now known or later developed based upon the sametechnological concepts. Additionally, any reference to a tray-loading,caddy-loading, cartridge-loading, slot-loading, or hub-loading opticaldrive device is intended to include existing industry-standard opticaldrive devices as well as any other loading format now known or laterdeveloped based upon the same technological concepts.

Ideally, if an optical disc were to conform to either the 5 inch or 3inch standard currently in use by CD, DVD, and/or LD device drives, thesize and shape of the disc allow it to be compatible with most computersystems, stereo systems and other devices which incorporate industrystandard optical drives. When CD players and CD-ROM drives were firstdeveloped, music and software publishers contemplated the use of twodistinct sizes of optical discs: the 5 inch CD and the 3 inch CD(“Mini-CD”). Thus, CD, DVD, and LD drive devices with tray-loadingcarriage mechanisms came to be manufactured with trays that arecompatible with both 5 inch and 3 inch optical discs. Such trays haverecessed grooves which allow the 3 inch discs to fit snugly into thetray and ensure that the disc is precisely aligned with the optical beamwhen the tray is closed. Due to the close spacing between data tracks onan annular optical disc, it is necessary that the disc be preciselyaligned with the optical beam. Early optical drives were notmanufactured with such specialized grooves and in response to thisdemand, music and software publishers sometimes included an adaptor toconvert 3 inch discs into a 5 inch size or sold such adaptorsseparately. By using such an adaptor, 3 inch discs could be read by anyoptical drive which reads 5 inch optical discs.

Similarly, caddy-loading optical drives were developed to provide a morestable environment for the optical disc during spin-up and alsoincorporated the 3 inch recessed grooves. Further, CD and CD-ROM changersystems utilizing a cartridge-loading mechanism were designed to supportsuch 3 inch discs by incorporating the 3 inch recessed grooves into thecartridges. Thus, 3 inch optical discs are fully supported by theindustry and are considered to be an established standard in opticaldisc size.

A credit card shaped data storage card including an embedded linearmagnetic stripe, formed to be compatible with existing 3 inch and/or 5inch optical drive devices, would allow for a higher capacity of datastorage, providing a more sophisticated identification system whichcould read massive amounts of data from the card to verify the identityof the user and effectuate different transactions. Such identificationinformation may be composed of a genetic fingerprint, retinal scan data,voice signatures, photographic images, digital signatures, encryptionalgorithms and/or countless other types of information which ensure amore accurate form of identification. Additionally, allowing the data tobe stored on the access card itself lifts an enormous burden off thesystem resources of access card readers, which would otherwise berequired to store such large amounts of data internally. For example, ifa financial institution were to implement a sophisticated identificationsystem that uses retinal and voice scans in conjunction with aconventional magnetic-stripe access card, literally gigabytes orterabytes of information might need to be stored inside theidentification system due to the large size of the graphics and soundfiles. A high capacity data storage card may allow for a cost effectiveaccess card reader which has a lower system resource requirement. Suchan access card reader capable of reading a high capacity data storagecard may then be distributed in areas of the world where an access cardreader may otherwise be too expensive to maintain, such as third worldcountries. Further, a financial institution could store a consumer'scomplete account history with a self contained program which executes onthe customer's home or laptop computer.

To implement the promise of such an access card, a way must be found tomake them compatible with contemporary computers, ATM machines, magneticstripe readers, and optical drives to allow everyday use by layconsumers. Contemporary systems using an optical strip generally requirethe use of a specialized read/write apparatus. Some prior art devicescombine both linear magnetic stripes with optical strips while otherscombine linear magnetic stripes with annular optical regions. Althoughadding an optical region or optical strip is advantageous due to theincreased data capacity, the read/write apparatus may be costly anddifficult to integrate into a current marketplace that may be lessresponsive to integrating a new technology. Existing card readers mightneed to be updated with a specialized apparatus, causing a higherexpenditure for those who wish to integrate the card and a burden onconsumers who are unfamiliar with the technology. Additionally, theoptical region integrated into contemporary devices is typicallyconfigured to be a read-only data region, utilizing pre-recorded data. Aread-only data region may provide a secure form of transferring datasuch that the data written to the card will be unalterable by any means.However, the use of an annular optical data region would provide thebenefit of selecting from a variety of materials for the data layer suchas an organic dye polymer used in CD-Recordables, polycrystalline usedin CD-Rewriteables, or a permanent read-only form. CD-writers arereadily available in the marketplace and generally inexpensive. SuchCD-writers could potentially be used for the purpose of reading andwriting data to annular optical data regions whereas optical strips maynot be compatible with conventional CD-writers, and may require aspecialized apparatus or manufacturing process to read and write data.

Integrating both a magnetic stripe and an annular optical data regionpresents the additional problem of providing a card body sufficientlythin enough to pass through a magnetic stripe reader. Conventionalcredit cards are formed with a thickness of approximately 0.76 mm whileconventional annular optical discs may be formed with a thickness ofapproximately 1.20 mm. Combining both an annular optical data region anda magnetic stripe in a single card requires that the card be engagablewith both an optical drive carriage and a magnetic stripe readerdepending on the thickness allowed by the magnetic stripe reader.Magnetic stripe “swipe” type readers may allow a card having a thicknessof approximately 0.96 mm. Due to this thickness limitation, aconventional optical disc may be too thick to pass through a magneticstripe reader. Consequently, a card having both an annular optical dataregion and a magnetic stripe may be too thick to pass through a magneticstripe reader if configured with a thickness of 1.20 mm.

A data storage card formed with both an optical annular region and amagnetic data region may also provide a data storage medium for onlinetransactions. Due to the explosive growth of the Internet and onlinetransactions, payments are typically made online via the time consumingprocess of manually entering customer information and credit cardnumbers for purchases. Although retailers accept payment via creditcards using magnetic stripe readers, online retailers are continuallysearching for a way to expedite online transactions by making thepayment process as easy as possible. Lay consumers may find a product ofinterest on the Internet but may be dissuaded from making an onlinepurchase due to the difficulty of inputting account information for fearthat such a transaction may require extensive computer knowledge tocomplete. Thus, several online purchases may be initiated by customersintending to make a purchase but do not ever complete the process,thereby causing the online retailer to lose potential business. Inaddition, lay consumers may be skeptical of gaining the trust of theInternet and be generally unwilling to input credit card numbersmanually into a computer for transmission over the Internet. This fearmay be reinforced by the view that hackers are lurking on the Internetwaiting to intercept such transactions. Although encryption technologymay be as strong as a 128-bit level, encryption technology iscontinually developing to provide a safer means of transmitting dataover potentially unsecure communications lines such as the Internet. Adata storage card having an annular optical data region and a magneticstripe formed to be compatible with a consumer's computer may furtherallow a consumer to confidently make online purchases. Such a card maybe formed to allow a consumer to insert the card into their personalcomputer without the wren need to manually input account information. Inthis respect, a consumer may present the card at a retailer's magneticstripe reader for making purchases and may additionally make onlinepurchases from home by inserting the card into a personal computer.Additionally, providing a high data capacity may allow for the card toincorporate a more sophisticated encryption algorithm. Using suchsecurity means over the Internet may further alleviate the fears ofconsumers. Thus, both the difficulty of making an online purchase and afear of safely transmitting account information may dissuade a potentialcustomer from making an online purchase. It is clear that an ideal datastorage card is needed which has the capacity to store large amounts ofdata, has the ability to accommodate future technologies which mayexpand the data storage space, is compatible with existing read/writedevices, is portable and easy to carry, is highly durable and reliable,is generally familiar to the consumer, provides security features, andmost importantly allows seamless and expedient integration into themarketplace.

Contemporary devices have a shape and size roughly the same as a creditcard. However, there is generally minimal attention dedicated tocompatibility issues which may arise if the card was specifically usedin ATM machines or other existing devices. There are tens of thousandsof ATM machines in use today and there are several different mechanismsin use which allow the ATM cards to be read. Among the varieties of ATMcard mechanisms are those which incorporate a stationary magnetic stripe“swiper,” while others require the ATM card to be physically insertedinto the drive mechanism/roller drive mechanism. A commonly used ATMtractor drive pulls the card onto a series of rollers arrayed along thecenter of the card. Current ATM cards are properly adapted to operate insuch ATM machines. However, a card having an obstacle, void or physicalrestraint in the center of the card may become stuck by one of therollers. This may cause a card to become trapped in and disable feedmechanisms of ATM machines currently in use.

Accordingly, there is a need for a data storage card that incorporatesboth a magnetic strip and an annular optical region, which is compatiblewith currently existing optical device drives and magnetic strip readersin widespread use. The present invention addresses the above-describeddeficiencies of conventional credit cards, providing an access cardhaving high capacity data storage in a credit-card-shaped medium whichmay be read/written by industry standard optical drives and ATMmachines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a datastorage card having optical and magnetic data storage regions, andformed to cooperatively engage both a drive mechanism of a magneticstripe reader and a drive mechanism of an optical data reader. The cardincludes a card body defining first and second opposed generally planarsurfaces. The card further includes first and second longitudinal edgesdisposed in spaced opposed relation along the perimeter of the cardbody. The card further includes first and second lateral edges disposedperpendicular to the first and second longitudinal edges disposed inspaced opposed relation along the perimeter of the card body. The cardfurther includes at least one annular optical data region disposed on atleast one of the first and second surfaces. The card further includes atleast one magnetic linear data region disposed on at least one of thefirst and second surfaces. The card further includes an optical carriageengaging aperture formed in the card body to engage a drive mechanism toan optical data reader. Optionally, the card further includes anaperture sheath engageable to the card body and displaceable to extendacross the aperture.

Preferably, the present invention provides a hybrid portablestandardized medium of data storage which is compatible with currentlyexisting data readers and provides a high data storage capacity. Ahybrid dual-media data storage card is disclosed comprising apolycarbonate, plastic, resin, or similar material card conforming insize and dimensions generally equivalent to a common credit card. Oneside of the card may include at least one magnetic stripe and mayfurther implement two or more magnetic stripes, providing two separateswipe zones and enabling the card to be used in standard magnetic cardreaders such as those found in automated teller machines (“ATMs”),credit card readers, security entry control devices, and the like. Theplanar surface opposite to the magnetic stripe side is preferablyconfigured with one or more annular optical data tracks designed to beread by a CD or DVD drive. An optical carriage engaging aperture havingrounded corners may allow the card to be inserted into and used in anindustry standard CD or DVD drive device comprising those whichimplement a tray-loading system, slot-loading system, caddy-loadingsystem, hub-loading system, or any other optical drive device which iscompatible with 3 inch optical discs.

Additionally, an aperture sheath displaceable to extend across theaperture may be provided. The aperture sheath may be a removable sleeve,the sleeve being operative to substantially cover the aperture portionof the card while exposing the magnetic stripe portion of the card. Inthis respect, the sleeve supports the roller drive mechanism andprevents the rollers from jamming in the aperture while allowing themagnetic stripe to be read by the magnetic stripe reader. Alternatively,the aperture sheath may be configured as a removable plug, the plugbeing sized and shaped complementary to the optical carriage engagingaperture. The plug may be inserted by the card user when used with amagnetic stripe reader utilizing a roller drive mechanism and removedwhen used with an optical drive carriage. Alternatively, the aperturesheath may be configured as a movable member. Preferably, the movablemember may be selectable between a first position for exposing theoptical carriage engaging aperture to mount the card on the rotatablespindle of the optical drive carriage and a second positionsubstantially covering the aperture to facilitate transport of the cardin the roller drive mechanism. In this respect, the user selects theposition of the aperture sheath based on the intended application of thecard. Further, the aperture sheath may be movable between a firstposition substantially coplanar with one of the first and second planarsurfaces and a second position raised above one of the first and secondplanar surfaces. By raising the aperture sheath in the second position,the card may be used with optical drive carriages but may not beinserted into magnetic stripe readers such as ATM machines. Inserting acard having an aperture into such an ATM machine may jam the machinewhen the roller drive mechanism passes over the aperture. Thus, theaperture sheath advantageously safeguards against such possible mistakesby the user. When the user selects the aperture sheath in the firstposition, the card may then be used with ATM machines since the aperturemay be substantially covered and the aperture sheath may besubstantially coplanar with one of the surfaces. Such an aperture sheathmay be circularly rotated or linearly rotated. Additionally, to furtherinstruct the user, a positional indicator may be provided to indicatewhether the aperture sheath is in the first or second position. Forexample, the position indicator may be a broken arrow which lines upwhen the aperture sheath is in the position which allows the card to beused with magnetic stripe readers.

The card may be provided with at least one magnetic linear data regionfor use with magnetic stripe readers. In this respect, one magnetic datastripe allows the card to be used as conventional credit cards. However,a second magnetic data stripe may be provided. A second magnetic datastripe may provide a wholly separate set of data than the first magneticdata stripe. For example, the first stripe may contain an account numberand the second stripe may contain a driver's license number. Oralternatively, the data stripes may contain the same set of data. Due tothe card's potentially thicker profile by utilizing an annular opticaldata region, the card may require a thinner profile on at least one edgeto retain compatibility with magnetic stripe readers. Thus, the card maybe provided with two thicknesses. Alternatively, the card may be formedwith a single uniform thickness throughout the card body that issufficiently thin enough to pass through a magnetic stripe reader. Inthis respect, the card body may have a uniform thickness that is thinnerthan conventional optical discs.

The card may also be provided with a semiconductor memory chip,providing an additional data storage medium for use with memory chipreaders. In this respect, embedding the memory chip may allow the cardto be used in magnetic stripe readers, optical drives, and memory chipreaders. A smart media card or a flash memory chip may be used as thesemiconductor memory chip embedded in the card. Such chips arerelatively light and allow for high data capacities. However, memorychips may add additional weight that affects the performance andstability of the card when used with optical drives. To integrate thechip into the card, sufficient space must be provided. Thus, the opticalcarriage engaging aperture may be offset from the center to create thenecessary space. By offsetting the optical carriage engaging aperture,the card may then become unbalanced when rotated in an optical drivecarriage. Or, the card may become offset from the additional weight ofthe semiconductor memory chip. To balance the card and reduce the weightof the card, a plurality of recesses may be formed on one of the planarsurfaces. Such recesses may be formed sufficient to offset the weight ofthe semiconductor memory chip or the recesses may be formed accordingthe necessary reduction in weight for balancing the card in an opticaldrive carriage.

The present invention may additionally incorporate a dual-purposeoptical carriage engaging member which is raised above one of the planarsurfaces and may be disposed about the outermost perimeter of theoptical data region. As an optical carriage engaging member, the raisedportion may be sized and shaped complementary to the recessed grooves ofan optical drive carriage. At the same time, the member may also serveas an optical surface protecting ridge. When the card is used withmagnetic stripe readers, the optical data region may become damaged orscratched from the internal roller drive mechanisms or from constantuse. Over time, such scratches may affect data integrity and reduce thelife of the card. Thus, the optical surface protecting ridge may beprovided for minimizing such damage by allowing the friction caused bythe magnetic stripe readers to be placed upon the ridge and not theoptical data region.

Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention mayalso be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, theparticular combination of parts described and illustrated herein is notintended to serve as limitations of alternative devices within thespirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference tothe drawing; therein:

FIG. 1A is a top-side perspective view showing the first planar surfaceof a first embodiment of the data storage card made according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 1B is a bottom-side perspective view showing the second planarsurface of a first embodiment of the data storage card made according tothe present invention.

FIG. 1 is a top-side perspective view showing the first planar surfaceof a second embodiment of the data storage card made according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom-side perspective view showing the second planarsurface of a second embodiment of the data storage card made accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of showing the first planar surface of a secondembodiment of the data storage card made according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the datastorage card made according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the second planar surface of a secondembodiment of the data storage card made according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing the first planar surface of a thirdembodiment of the data storage card made according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the datastorage card made according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing the second planar surface of a thirdembodiment of the data storage card made according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a top view showing the first planar surface of a fourthembodiment of the data storage card made according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the datastorage card made according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing the second planar surface of a fourthembodiment of the data storage card made according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a top view showing the first planar surface of a fifthembodiment of the data storage card made according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the datastorage card made according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 depicts a bottom view of a fifth embodiment of the data storagecard made according to the present invention cooperatively engaging witha magnetic stripe reader.

FIG. 15 depicts a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the datastorage card made according to the present invention cooperativelyengaging with a magnetic stripe reader.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view showing the second planar surface of a fifthembodiment of the data storage card made according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 17 depicts a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the datastorage card made according to the present invention cooperativelyengaging with a magnetic stripe reader.

FIG. 18 depicts a fifth embodiment of the data storage card madeaccording to the present invention cooperatively engaging with anoptical drive carriage.

FIG. 19 is a top view of a sixth embodiment of the data storage cardmade according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of a sixth embodiment of the data storage cardmade according to the present invention cooperatively engaging with amagnetic stripe reader.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the datastorage card made according to the present invention cooperativelyengaging with a magnetic stripe reader.

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of a seventh embodiment of the data storagecard made according to the present invention.

FIG. 22A is a top view of an eighth embodiment of the data storage cardmade according to the present invention.

FIG. 22B is cross-sectional view of an eighth embodiment of the datastorage card made according to the present invention.

FIG. 22C is a bottom view of an eighth embodiment of the data storagecard made according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The detailed description, as set forth below in connection with theappended drawings, is intended as a description of the presentlypreferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to representthe only form in which the present invention may be constructed orutilized.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposesof illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, andnot for the purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1A & 1B a firstembodiment of the data storage card made according to the presentinvention. The card may include a substantially planar card body 304defining a first planar surface 306 and defining a second planar surface308. In this respect, the card body 304 may be substantially flushthroughout the planar surfaces 306 and 308. The card may further includea card body 304 having both optical and magnetic data storage regionsand formed to cooperatively engage both a drive mechanism of a magneticstripe reader and a drive mechanism of an optical data reader. Further afirst embodiment of the present invention may also include first andsecond longitudinal edges 310 and 312 disposed in spaced opposedrelation along the perimeter of the card body 304. The card may alsoinclude first and second lateral edges 314 and 316 disposed in spacedopposed relation along the perimeter of the card body perpendicular tothe first and second longitudinal edges 310 and 312. At least oneannular optical data region 318 may be disposed on at least one of thefirst and second surfaces 306 and 308. At least one magnetic linear dataregion 320 and a second magnetic linear data region 322 may be disposedon at least one of the first and second surfaces 306 and 308. An opticalcarriage engaging aperture 324 may be formed in the center of the cardbody 304. Advantageously, a substantially flush profile of the card body304 having a thickness of approximately 0.76 mm may allow the card to beused with conventional magnetic stripe readers. In another embodimentthe card body has a thickness of approximately 0.90 mm. Sinceconventional credit cards are approximately 0.76 mm thick, a card havingthe same thickness may be used with same magnetic stripe readerscurrently capable of reading credit cards up to approximately 0.96 mm.Accordingly, the card body 304 may have a thickness of up to 0.96 mmwith the optical data region 318 adding an additional thickness to thecard body 304. However, the first embodiment of the present inventionmay advantageously be formed substantially flush throughout the cardbody 304, which may be formed as a conventional optical disk having anintegral substrate. In one embodiment, reflective and optical datalayers are co-extensive with the card body. In another embodimentreflective and optical data layers are confined to a portion of the cardbody.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, the drawings illustrate a second embodimentof the data storage card made according to the present invention, whichhas a card body 10 that is a size and shape similar to conventionalcredit cards. To better illustrate the features of the data storagecard, parts of the drawings may be exaggerated to emphasize the variousphysical differences. FIG. 1 shows a top-side perspective view, FIG. 2is a bottom-side perspective view, FIG. 3 shows a top planar view, FIG.4 shows a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 5 shows a bottom planar view ofa third embodiment of the data storage card. The card body 10 comprisesa first longitudinal edge 38 and a second longitudinal edge 40. Themeasurement from first longitudinal edge 38 to second longitudinal edge40 is preferably 85.6 mm, but may be any measurement as long as thefunctionality of the magnetic and optical data regions are not affectedsuch that data may be written to and read from the magnetic and opticaldata regions.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5, the card body 10 comprises afirst lateral edge 42 and a second lateral edge 44. The measurement fromfirst lateral edge 42 to second lateral edge 44 is preferably 53.98 mm,but may also be of any measurement as long as the functionality of themagnetic and optical data regions are not affected. The approximatelyrectangular shape of the card body 10 allows the data storage card to becarried in standard wallets and other accessories that are shaped to fitcredit cards. The corners of the card body 10 are preferably rounded toconform to the general shape of a credit card and to prevent a sharppoint from injuring a user.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the first planar surface 12 can be madeof any substrate, preferably polycarbonate, resin, plastic, or anothercomparable material, that is durable and flexible to prevent the cardbody 10 from cracking or breaking from excessive pressure in a walletand to generally protect against “wear and tear.” The substrate materialshould also allow the first planar surface 12 to be silk screened suchthat a company logo, design, or other desirable artwork may be silkscreened onto to the first planar surface 12 in a designated artworkarea 24. Due to the inherent reflective properties of the optical dataregion, a holographic image may be integrated into the card body 10,providing another security feature. Furthermore, a holographic stickermay be silk screened onto the first planar surface 12, similar to theholographic images financial institutions currently use to ensureauthenticity of the data storage card. In addition, a bar code may beplaced on the first planar surface 12 to allow for standard bar codescanners to identify cardholders or to provide an extra level ofsecurity. A holographic image, or another form of unique security devicethat proves authenticity, may be embedded or silk screened onto thefirst planar surface 12 in a holographic receiving area 22. In otherwords, any usable area of the first planar surface 12 not occupied by adata region or inscription may be used for designs or other similar silkscreened material.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, an optical carriage engagingaperture/central hub assembly 14 having a diameter D1 formed therein andshaped to engage the drive mechanism/rotatable spindle of an opticaldata reader, may be punched in the center of the card body 10 to allowthe card body 10 to be cooperatively engaged with an optical drive'srotatable spindle (not shown). The optical carriage engaging aperture 14is incorporated into the card body 10 to ensure compatibility withcontemporary optical drives designed for CDs, DVDs, LDs, or any otheroptical drive incorporating a 5 inch and/or 3 inch disc size. Thediameter D1 of the optical carriage engaging aperture 14 should measureapproximately {fraction (9/16)}″ but in all embodiments, the diameter D1of the optical carriage engaging aperture 14 shall be of a size thatallows the card body 10 to be properly mounted in an industry standardoptical drive. When the card body 10 is used with a tray-loading,slot-loading, or cartridge-loading carriage, the optical drive's armpositions itself over the optical carriage engaging aperture 14 throughthe first planar surface 12 or second planar surface 30. A rotatablespindle that is fit to the specifications of the rotatable spindleengaging hub mounts the card's optical carriage engaging aperture 14 andmay spin the card body 10 at a constant linear velocity around thecard's perpendicular axis. A hub-loading optical drive utilizes arotatable spindle with a plurality of ball bearings or other notchesattached to the rotatable spindle to keep optical discs in place duringrotation (not shown). A user mounts the card body 10 onto the rotatablespindle by cooperatively engaging the optical carriage engaging aperture14 of the card body 10 with the ball bearings or notches on therotatable spindle such that the card body 10 is “snapped” snugly intoplace. The hub-loading optical drive then spins the card body 10 at aconstant linear velocity around the card body's 10 perpendicular axis.The speed of the rotation may be varied depending upon the opticaldrive's configuration. For example, some optical drives spin the opticaldiscs at a constant linear velocity while others incorporate a “max”technology known in the art, which may increase the rotation speed asthe drive reads the outer edges of the optical disc. It is anticipatedthat the present invention may incorporate other means for mountingoptical discs which allow optical discs to rotate faster for increasedtransfer rates. Furthermore, since annular optical data regions are readfrom the innermost area to the outermost area, a decrease in the size ofthe optical carriage engaging aperture 14 may provide for enhanced datacapacity.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, a first linear magnetic data region 16extending from first longitudinal edge 38 to second longitudinal edge 40should be disposed on the first planar surface 12 of the card body 10.The linear magnetic data region 16 allows the data storage card to beread and programmed by existing magnetic stripe devices such as ATM'sand point-of-sale credit card readers. A second linear magnetic dataregion 18 is disposed perpendicular to the first linear magnetic dataregion 16, extending from first lateral edge 42 to second lateral edge44 on the first planar surface 12 of the card body 10. The thickness ofboth the first linear magnetic data region 16 and the second linearmagnetic data region 18 are preferably 8 mm thick but may vary so longas the thickness is sufficient to allow compatibility with existingmagnetic stripe readers.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, the data storage card may be formed as amulti-function card which may be used in several different types ofmachines. The manner in which the card body 10 is inserted, swiped orotherwise cooperatively engaged with a reading or writing device dependson the application for which it is to be used. For example, to use thedata storage card in an ATM machine, the card body 10 must be insertedwith the card body's 10 magnetic stripe facing the proper direction intothe machine's slot. A directional indicator 40 may be incorporated toinform the user of the proper manner in which the data storage cardshould be inserted into ATM machines. However, the exact position of thedirectional indicator 34 is not critical and may be placed elsewhere. Tofurther instruct the user as to which planar surface should be facing upwhen inserting the data storage card into an ATM machine, a firstinscription 32 may be printed or embossed on an area of the secondplanar surface 30. For example, an inscription stating “This Side Up forATM” is preferred as an instructional statement to the user. Some ATMmachines may require that the card be inserted or swiped such that thecard is held perpendicular to a horizontal plane. In such cases, apictoral representation would be more appropriate in instructing a userhow to insert the card body 10. The exact content and placement of thefirst inscription 32 may vary as long as the first inscription 32assists the user in properly inserting the card body 10 into an ATMmachine.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the thickness of the card body 10 at thefirst longitudinal edge 38 should be of a minimal thickness T1,measuring approximately 0.76 mm. The thickness T2 of the card body 10may be thicker where the optical region 28 is disposed, measuringapproximately 0.90 mm. The additional thickness T2 of the card body 10may prevent the card body 10 from passing through some of the existingmagnetic stripe readers. Some magnetic stripe readers require a card'sthickness to be equal to T1 or less than T2. Other magnetic stripereaders may require that the card be no thicker than 0.96 mm. To becompatible with such magnetic stripe readers, the card body 10 may bealternatively “swiped” along one of the first and second longitudinaledges 38 and 40 closest to where the second linear magnetic data region18 is disposed in a reduced thickness portion of the card body 10. Insome situations, the second linear magnetic data region 18 may containexactly the same data as the first linear magnetic data region 16.However, it is possible to program the second linear magnetic dataregion 18 to contain a wholly different set of data than the firstlinear magnetic data region 16. For example, the first linear magneticdata region 18 may contain an account number while the second linearmagnetic data region 20 may contain a digital encryption key whichverifies the user. A second inscription 26 may be disposed on the firstplanar surface 12 between the second linear magnetic data region 18 andthe first longitudinal edge 38. This second inscription 36 may be usedto instruct the user of which linear magnetic data region is to be usedwith their corresponding applications. For example, “Swipe This End” maybe used to indicate that the second linear magnetic data region 18 is tobe used for “swiping” through magnetic stripe card readers. However,additional inscriptions may be used or disposed on other areas of thefirst planar surface 12 to indicate the use of each linear magnetic dataregion 16 and 18. Alternatively, it is anticipated that the thickness T2of the card body 10 may be less than 0.96 mm as discussed above.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, an annular optical data region 28 ispreferably disposed on the second planar surface 30. A cross-sectionalprofile of the card body 10 taken along one of first and second lateraledges 42 and 44 depicts the truncated conical raised portion of the cardbody 10. Contemporary optical drive carriages are constructed with acircular recessed groove made to fit 3 inch optical discs (not shown).Thus, a portion of the second planar surface 30 should be constructedwith at least one physical step which allows the card body 10 to fitsnugly into the recessed groove of an optical drive's carriage. In thesecond embodiment, the entire optical annular data region 28 is raisedto complement the optical drive carriage's recessed groove. Precisealignment of the disc with the recessed grooves ensures that the opticaldrive properly mounts the disc to read the optical track 36.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, the annular optical data region 28disposed on the second planar surface 30 having at least one data track36, should preferably be manufactured with a configuration which allowsthe data substrate to be varied. The composition of the materialembedded within the annular optical data region 28 can drasticallychange the possible applications available. If cyanine, phthalocyanine,azo, or another comparable ink is used for the annular optical dataregion 28, the card has the capability of being programmed by a computersystem with a compact disc recorder drive (“CD Burner”). If the cardbody 10 is manufactured with a polycrystalline layer for the annularoptical data region 28, the card body 10 may be written and rewritten bya CD Burner with the capability of writing and erasing standardCD-Rewriteable discs. In this form, the card body 10 may be used as astorage device that can be written and rewritten to several times,limited only by the polycrystalline's lifetime. In addition, businessescan be easily equipped to read and write the card by implementing areadily available CD Burner into their business computers.

Additionally, the format and configuration of the data tracks 36 mayincrease the capacity of the annular optical data region. For example,the annular optical data region 28 may be manufactured in a DVDcompatible format such that the data capacity of the card may besignificantly increased. Or, incorporating a DIVX compatible formatwould allow the card to have a significantly increased storage capacityand would add the feature of creating a predetermined expiration date ornumber of uses for the card. The maximum data capacity of the annularoptical data region 28 will depend on the amount of surface area that isavailable after the first and second magnetic data stripes 16 and 18have been incorporated. However, the outer edges of the annular opticaldata region 28 may take any shape as long as the card body 10 is alwayscompatible with the 3 inch grooves found in optical drive carriages.Therefore, the shape and data capacity of the annular optical dataregion 28 may be varied according to the intended application of thecard.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, an advantage of incorporating theannular optical data region 30 is that it may be possible to takeadvantage of the several different software security protection schemesfor CD-ROM and DVD-ROM discs which ensure that no duplicates are made.For example, some of these protection methods embed hidden errors in thedata structure which are unreadable for the purposes of duplicating, butare read by the software as a means of verifying the authenticity of thedata contents. Such sophisticated protection schemes may be integratedinto the card through use of specialized programming techniques; Thosewho wish to produce a highly secure card will then have the benefit ofusing existing hardware and software security technology and futuredevelopments that are compatible with optical discs being developed.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, a protective coating may be applied tothe annular optical data region 28 to guard the disc againstenvironmentally hazardous conditions that may affect the data integrityof the optical tracks 36. The coating may be applied for the purpose ofprotecting the annular optical data region 28 against excessive exposureof sunlight, heat, liquids, and other substances which may harm theintegrity of the optical data tracks 36.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, a third embodiment of the data storage cardmade according to the present invention is shown. FIG. 6 shows a topplanar view, FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 8 shows abottom planar view of a third embodiment of the data storage card. Inall aspects, the third embodiment is identical to the second embodimentexcept for the configuration of the annular optical data region 76 whichincorporates the use of an optical surface protecting ridge 82 thatadvantageously functions as both an optical carriage engaging member andan optical surface protector. The ridge 82 functions as an opticalcarriage engaging member by cooperatively engaging with the recessedgrooves of an optical drive carriage. The ridge 82 functions as anoptical surface protecting ridge by reducing the amount of frictionplaced upon the optical region 76 by a magnetic stripe reader, therebyminimizing scratches in the optical region 76 to increase the life ofthe card body 46. The third embodiment of the present invention iscomprised of a substantially planar card body 46, a first planar surface48, a second planar surface 50, first and second linear magnetic dataregions 52 and 54, first and second longitudinal edges 56 and 58, firstand second lateral edges 60 and 62, a optical carriage engaging aperture66, a holographic receiving area 68, a designated artwork area 70, firstand second inscriptions 72 and 74, an annular optical data region 76, adirectional indicator 78, and an optical track 80. The annular opticaldata region 76 in the third embodiment is embedded in the card body 46.The optical surface protecting ridge 82 should be positioned on thesecond planar surface 50 such that the card body 46 can cooperativelyengage with an optical drive carriage with recessed grooves for 3 inchoptical discs. The exact shape or thickness of the ridge 82 is notcritical as long as the card body 46 maintains compatibility with therecessed grooves of an optical drive carriage and does not obstruct thefeed slot of a roller drive mechanism on an ATM (not shown). Otherphysical alterations may be made to ensure that the card body 46 fitssnugly into the recessed grooves of an optical drive carriage.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, a fourth embodiment of the data storagecard made according to the present invention is shown. FIG. 9 shows atop planar view, FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 11 showsa bottom planar view of a fourth embodiment of the data storage card.The fourth embodiment of the present invention is comprised of asubstantially planar card body 84, a first planar surface 86, a secondplanar surface 88, first and second linear magnetic data regions 90 and92, first and second longitudinal edges 94 and 96, first and secondlateral edges 98 and 100, a optical carriage engaging aperture 104, aholographic receiving area 106, a designated artwork area 108, first andsecond inscriptions 110 and 112, an annular optical data region 114, adirectional indicator 116, and an optical track 118. The first andsecond longitudinal edges 94 and 96 may be configured with a roundedshape such that the shape of the card body 84 complements the recessedgrooves of an optical drive carriage. Advantageously, the fourthembodiment of the data storage card may provide for a lighter card body84 in comparison to the substantially rectangular shaped second andthird embodiments. The fourth embodiment of the present inventiongenerally resembles the second and third embodiments except that thefirst and second longitudinal edges 94 and 96 are sized and configuredto cooperatively engage to the rotatable spindle of an optical drivecarriage. In this respect, the edges are rounded to the shape of anoptical drive carriage such that the distance from the firstlongitudinal edge 94 to the second longitudinal edge 96 is approximately3 inches, the same measurement of an optical drive carriage. As shown inFIG. 10, the card body 84 may have a thickness T1 which is thinner thana second thickness T2. The thinner portion of the card body 84 providesa magnetic linear data region for use with magnetic stripe readers whichrequire a card having a thinner profile. Thus, the second magneticstripe 92 may be used with such magnetic stripe readers.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-18, a fifth embodiment of the data storagecard made according to the present invention is shown. The fifthembodiment of the present invention is comprised of a substantiallyplanar card body 120, a first planar surface 122, a second planarsurface 124, first and second linear magnetic data regions 126 and 128,first and second longitudinal edges 130 and 132, first and secondlateral edges 134 and 136, an optical carriage engaging aperture 138, anannular optical data region 140, a positional indicator 142, an aperturesheath 144, a optical surface protecting ridge 146, an indented portion148, first and second inscriptions 150 and 152, and a visual data region154.

In order to provide compatibility with both the optical drive carriageand a roller drive mechanism, the aperture sheath 144 prevents the cardbody 120 from being jammed in a magnetic stripe reader utilizing rollerdrive mechanisms. Magnetic stripe readers using a roller drivemechanism, such as those found in ATM machines, typically comprise atleast one roller to feed the card into the machine and read the magneticstripe. Some of these machines center the roller such that when a cardis inserted into the ATM machine, the roller drive mechanism pulls thecard into the machine through the center of the card. Such roller drivemechanisms generally require the card to have a substantially planarsurface without obstructions. If a card with an aperture disposed in thecenter of the card is inserted into such an ATM machine, the rollerdrive may lodge itself in the aperture. The card may then become stuckin the ATM machine and cause the ATM machine to shut itself down ormalfunction. At the same time however, an optical carriage engagingaperture formed in the optical carriage engaging aperture 138 may benecessary to properly engage the card body 120 with a rotatable spindleof an optical drive carriage. To prevent the card body 120 from jammingin an ATM machine using a roller drive mechanism, the present inventionincorporates a dual-function aperture sheath 144. The aperture sheath144 may be a movable member comprising an indented portion 148 tofacilitate manual displacement in relation to the optical carriageengaging aperture as shown in FIG. 15. The indented portion 148 may beconfigured with a size and shape sufficient to allow a user's fingernail or a coin to rotate the aperture sheath 144. The aperture sheath144 may be selectable between a first position exposing the opticalcarriage engaging aperture to mount the card body 120 on the rotatablespindle of the optical drive carriage and a second positionsubstantially covering the aperture to facilitate transport of the cardbody 120 in the roller drive mechanism. In the first position, as shownin FIG. 14, the aperture sheath 144 may allow the card body 120 to beused in optical drive carriages such that the aperture is substantiallycircular in shape and disposed in the center of the card body 120 tocooperatively engage with the rotatable spindle of the optical drivecarriage. In the second position, the aperture sheath 144 may allow thecard body 120 to be used in roller drive mechanisms. As shown in FIGS.12 and 13, the aperture sheath 144 may be rotated such that the opticalcarriage engaging aperture 138 is sufficiently covered by the aperturesheath 144 to prevent the roller drive mechanism from lodging the rollerin the aperture. When the aperture sheath 144 is in the second position,as shown in FIG. 12, the roller drive mechanism used in an ATM machinemay pull the card body 120 in through the center and pass over theaperture sheath 144. However, if the card body 120 is used with a rollerdrive mechanism without moving the aperture sheath 144 in the correctposition, the roller drive may become jammed in the aperture. Thus, apositional indicator 142 may be provided to ensure proper use of thecard body 120. Such a positional indicator 142 may be an arrow pointingin the insertion direction with accompanying words such as “ATM.” Bymoving the aperture sheath 144 in a position which covers the opticalcarriage engaging aperture 138, the positional indicator may line up twolines to form a straight line.

Alternatively, the aperture sheath 144 may be configured as a rollersupporting plug disposable in the optical carriage engaging aperture ofthe optical carriage engaging aperture 138 to facilitate transport ofthe card body 120 in the roller drive mechanism. In this respect, aremovable plug sized and configured to the dimensions of the aperturemay be provided. For example, the user may insert the plug into theoptical carriage engaging aperture 138 when using the card body 120 withATM machines and subsequently remove the plug when using the card body120 with an optical drive carriage. Similarly, the aperture sheath 144may be configured as a removable sleeve disposable in the opticalcarriage engageable aperture of the optical carriage engaging aperture138 to facilitate transport of the card body 120 in the roller drivemechanism. In this respect, a sleeve may be provided which the userslides over the card body 120 to cover all portions of the card body 120except for the magnetic data stripe 126 to allow the ATM machine to readdata from the magnetic data stripe 126.

A first inscription 150 to instruct the user of the proper use of thecard may also be provided. Such an inscription 150 may read “Align RedLines For ATM Use” to indicate that the user must line up the positionalindicator 142 by moving the aperture sheath 144 when using the card body120 in an ATM machine. The second inscription 152, may be provided toindicate to the user that the second linear magnetic data stripe 128should be used for ATM “swipe-type” magnetic stripe readers.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the card body 120 may advantageouslyincorporate an optical surface protecting ridge 146. The ridge 146 maybe raised above the second planar surface 124 to allow the card body 120to cooperatively engage with the rotatable spindle of an optical drivecarriage. Preferably, the ridge 146 also protects the optical dataregion 140 by reducing scratches caused by magnetic stripe readers. Forexample, the magnetic stripe reader found in ATM machines may causescratches to be formed on the optical data region 140. In addition,pressure plates found in “swipe-type” magnetic stripe readers also maycause scratches to be formed on the optical data region 140. As shown inFIG. 15, when the card body 120 is inserted into an ATM machine, theridge 146 provides a space between the ATM machine and the optical dataregion 140.

Advantageously, at least one area of the first planar surface 122 mayincorporate alphanumeric characters in a visual data region 154 that maybe imprinted and/or embossed in the card body 120. Account informationmay be embossed in the designated visual data region 154 for use witholder credit card carbon copy systems. The card body 120 may be used inconjunction with such older systems by inserting the card body 120, withthe first planar surface 122 facing upward, and by rolling a device overthe embossed alphanumeric characters to record an impression of theaccount information.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-18, a fifth embodiment of the data storagecard made according to the present invention is shown. As shown in FIG.18, the card body 120 with the aperture sheath 144 in the first positionfor cooperatively engaging the card body 120 with the rotatable spindleof an optical drive carriage 156 may be inserted into the grooves 158 ofthe optical drive carriage 156. The aperture sheath 144 may be movablebetween a first position raised above one of the first and second planarsurfaces 122 and 124 and a second position substantially coplanar withone of the first and second planar surfaces 122 and 124. As shown inFIG. 17, when the aperture sheath 144 is in the first position, theaperture sheath may be raised above the first planar surface 122. Inthis respect, raising the aperture sheath 144 prevents the card body 120from being mistakenly inserted into an ATM machine. By lowering theaperture sheath 144 into the second position substantially coplanar withthe first planar surface 122, as shown in FIG. 15, the card body 120 maybe properly inserted into an ATM machine.

Referring now to FIGS. 19-21, a sixth embodiment of the data storagecard made according to the present invention is shown. The sixthembodiment of the present invention is comprised of a substantiallyplanar card body 160, a first planar surface 162, a second planarsurface 164, first and second linear magnetic data regions 166 and 168,first and second longitudinal edges 170 and 172, first and secondlateral edges 174 and 176, an optical carriage engaging aperture 178, afirst inscription 180, an annular optical data region 182, an aperturesheath 184, a optical surface protecting ridge 186, an indented portion188, a visual data region 190, and an optical carriage engaging member192. In all respects, the sixth embodiment of the data storage card isidentical to the fifth embodiment as discussed above with some of thefollowing exceptions.

The indented portion 188 of the aperture sheath 184 may be linearlyslideable between a first position exposing the optical carriageengaging aperture 178 to mount the card body 160 on the rotatablespindle of the optical drive carriage and a second positionsubstantially covering the aperture 178 to facilitate transport of thecard body 160 in the roller drive mechanism. In this respect, theaperture sheath 184 allows the card body 160 to be used in a magneticstripe reader utilizing a roller drive mechanism. The aperture sheath184 prevents the roller from jamming the card body 160 in the magneticstripe reader or ATM machine by substantially covering the aperture 178.

In addition, the optical carriage engaging member 192 may be configuredwith corners which are complementary to the recessed grooves of anoptical drive carriage. The optical surface protecting ridge 186 may bea separately raised portion of the card body 160 such that the ridge 186reduces scratches from being formed on the optical data region 182 whilethe optical carriage engaging member 192 may allow the card body 160 tofit snugly into an optical drive carriage. Alternatively, the ridge 186may serve the dual purpose as an optical surface protecting ridge andthe optical carriage engaging member.

Referring now to FIG. 22, a seventh embodiment of the data storage cardmade according to the present invention is shown. The seventh embodimentof the present invention is substantially similar to the thirdembodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6-8 as discussedabove with the following exceptions. As shown in FIG. 22, the seventhembodiment comprises a substantially planar card body 194, first andsecond longitudinal edges 196 and 198, first and second lateral edges200 and 202, a optical carriage engaging aperture 204 positionedoffcenter, an optical data region 206, an optical surface protectingridge 208, a semiconductor memory chip 300 embedded in the card body194, and plurality of recesses 302 for reducing the weight of the cardbody 194 in proportion to the weight of the semiconductor memory chip300. A semiconductor memory chip 300 too large to properly fit on thecard body may then require the optical carriage engaging aperture 204 tobe positioned offcenter. The optical carriage engaging aperture 204 maybe positioned about the periphery of the center point of the card body194, which may be equidistant from the longitudinal and lateral edges toallow for the semiconductor memory chip 300 to be embedded in the cardbody 194. By positioning the optical carriage engaging aperture 204offcenter and embedding the semiconductor memory chip 300 into the cardbody 194, additional weight is added to the card body 194. Thus, whenthe card body 194 is cooperatively engaged with the rotatable spindle ofan optical drive carriage, the card body 194 may become too heavy toachieve a sufficient rotational velocity for reading the data from theoptical data region 206. Thus, by adding a plurality of recesses 302 onthe card body 194, the overall weight of the card body 194 may bereduced to compensate for the added weight from the semiconductor memorychip 300.

Preferably, the memory chip 300 is sized sufficiently small and thin toallow the chip to be embedded into the card body 194 with minimaladdition of weight. For example, a smart media card or flash memory chipmay be utilized with the present invention. As one of ordinary skill inthe art may appreciate, smart media cards are relatively thin and arewell configured for portable electronic devices. Such cards may beproduced with small data capacities to very high capacities (as much as64 Megabytes).

Referring now to FIGS. 22A, 22B, and 22C, an eighth embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. The eighth embodiment of the presentinvention may include a substantially planar card body 328, first andsecond longitudinal edges 332 and 334, first and second lateral edges336 and 338, an optical carriage engaging aperture 326, which may bedisposed in the center of the card body 328, an annular optical dataregion 340, a first linear magnetic data stripe 342, a second linearmagnetic data stripe 344, a first planar surface 346 and a second planarsurface 348, optical surface engaging members 350, and a plurality ofrecesses 352. The eighth embodiment is substantially similar to theseventh embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 22 with thefollowing exceptions. The optical carriage engaging aperture 326 may bepositioned in approximately the center point of the card body 328 wherethe size of the semiconductor memory chip 330 is sufficiently smallenough to fit on the second surface 348 of the card body 328. Thesemiconductor memory chip 330 may require more space than is availableon the first surface 346 while the optical carriage engaging aperture326 is positioned in the center of the card body 328. Recesses 352formed in the card body 328 may be positioned on the second surface 348such that the mass of the semiconductor chip 330 added to the card body328 may be offset by the mass removed by the plurality of recesses 352.In this respect, the recesses 352 may be positioned on the secondsurface 348 such that the card body 328 may be balanced about the x-axisand y-axis of the card. In other words, the recesses 352 may be of equalnumber and size on each side of the semiconductor chip 330. As shown inFIG. 22B, the recesses 352 may be positioned such that the recesses 352remove a portion of the card body 328 but the recesses 352 may beconfigured such that the recesses 352 do not extend completely throughthe card body 328.

Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention mayalso be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, theparticular combination of parts described and illustrated herein is notintended to serve as limitations of alternative devices within thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data storage card having optical and magneticdata storage regions, and formed to cooperatively engage both a drivemechanism of a magnetic stripe reader and a drive mechanism or anoptical data reader, the card comprising: a) a card body defining firstand second opposed generally planar surfaces; b) first and secondlongitudinal edges disposed in spaced opposed relation along theperimeter of the card body; c) first and second lateral edges disposedin spaced opposed relation along the perimeter of the card bodyperpendicular to the first and second longitudinal edges; d) at leastone annular optical data region disposed on at least one of the firstand second surfaces of the card body; e) at least one magnetic lineardata region disposed on at least one of the first and second surfaces;and f) an optical carriage engaging aperture formed in the card body toengage the card body to a rotable drive mechanism of an optical datareader.
 2. The data storage card as set forth in claim 1, furthercomprising an aperture sheath disposed proximate the optical carriageengaging aperture, and engageable to the card body and displaceable toextend across the optical carriage engaging aperture.
 3. The datastorage card as set forth in claim 2, wherein the aperture sheath is aremovable plug disposable in the optical carriage engageable aperture tofacilitate transport of the card body in the drive mechanism of amagnetic stripe reader.
 4. The data storage card as set forth in claim2, wherein the aperture sheath is a removable sleeve disposable in theoptical carriage engageable aperture to facilitate transport of the cardbody in the drive mechanism of a magnetic stripe reader.
 5. The datastorage card as set forth in claim 2, wherein the aperture sheath isselectively displaceable between a first position exposing the opticalcarriage engaging aperture and a second position substantially coveringthe optical carriage engaging aperture.
 6. The data storage card as setforth in claim 5, wherein the aperture sheath includes an indentedportion to facilitate manual displacement of the aperture sheath.
 7. Thedata storage card as set forth in claim 5, wherein the aperture sheathincludes an elevation adjustment member for moving the aperture sheathbetween a first position raised above one of the first and second planarsurfaces and a second position substantially coplanar with one of thefirst and second planar surfaces.
 8. The data storage card as set forthin claim 5 further comprising a position indicator for indicating thepositional state of the aperture sheath.
 9. The data storage card as setforth in claim 1, wherein the annular optical data region is disposed onone of the first and second planar surfaces and is configuredconcentrically around the optical carriage engaging aperture.
 10. Thedata storage card as set forth in claim 1, wherein the card body has acard body thickness of less than 0.96 mm.
 11. The data storage card asset forth in claim 1, wherein the card body has a card body thickness ofapproximately 0.76 mm.
 12. The data storage card as set forth in claim 1further comprising at least one truncated conical raised portion mounteddisposed on one of the first and second planar surfaces for engaging thecard body to the drive mechanism of the optical data reader.
 13. Thedata storage card as set forth in claim 12, wherein the truncatedconical raised portion extends vertically from one of the first andsecond planar surface approximately 0.1 mm.
 14. The data storage card asset forth in claim 1, wherein the annular optical data region has athickness of approximately 0.90 mm.
 15. The data storage card as setforth in claim 1, wherein the annular optical data region has athickness greater than the card body thickness.
 16. The data storagecard as set forth in claim 12, wherein the truncated conical raisedportion defines rounded edges for engaging the card body to a deviceselected from the group consisting of an optical drive carriage tray,caddy, cartridge, and adaptor.
 17. The data storage card as set forth inclaim 15, wherein the annular optical data region facilitates engagementof the card body to a device selected from the group consisting of anoptical drive carriage tray, caddy, cartridge, and adaptor.
 18. The datastorage card as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an opticalcarriage engaging member mounted on one of the first and second planarsurfaces and raised above one of the first and second planar surfaces.19. The data storage card as set forth in claim 18 further comprising anoptical surface engaging member formed as a protecting ridge anddisposed about the periphery of the annular optical data region.
 20. Thedata storage card as set forth in claim 1, wherein the card body furthercomprises a reduced thickness portion disposed proximate one of thefirst and second lateral edges.
 21. The data storage card as set forthin claim 20, wherein the magnetic linear data region comprises at leastone continuous readable/writable magnetic data stripe disposed upon thereduced thickness portion.
 22. The data storage card as set forth inclaim 21, wherein the card body further comprises: a first magneticlinear data region having a continuously readable/writeable magneticdata stripe positioned parallel to the first and second lateral edgesfor operative engagement to a magnetic stripe reader; and a secondmagnetic linear data region having a continuously readable/writeablemagnetic data stripe positioned parallel to the longitudinal edges foroperative engagement to a magnetic stripe reader.
 23. The data storagecard as set forth in claim 1, wherein the optical carriage engagingaperture is substantially circular in shape centered on the card body.24. The data storage card as set forth in claim 1 wherein the apertureis positioned offcenter of the card body.
 25. The data storage card asset forth in claim 1 wherein the card body further comprises asemiconductor memory chip embedded in the card body.
 26. The datastorage card as set forth in claim 20 wherein the card body furthercomprises a plurality of recesses disposed in one of the first andsecond planar surfaces to selectively reduce the mass of the card bodyand to balance the card body in consideration of the reduced thicknessportion.
 27. The data storage card as set forth in claim 25 wherein therecesses define a plurality of voids substantially corresponding to themass of the semiconductor memory chip.
 28. The data storage card as setforth in claim 25 wherein the plurality of recesses are selectivelypositioned on one of the first and second planar surfaces to offset themass of the memory chip such that the card body is balanced.
 29. A datastorage card having optical and magnetic data storage regions, andformed to cooperatively engage both a drive mechanism of a magneticstripe reader and a drive mechanism of an optical data reader, the cardcomprising: a) a card body defining first and second opposed generallyplanar surfaces; b) first and second longitudinal edges disposed inspaced opposed relation along the perimeter of the card body; c) firstand second lateral edges disposed in spaced opposed relation along theperimeter of the card body perpendicular to the first and secondlongitudinal edges; d) at least one annular optical data region disposedon at least one of the first and second surfaces of the card body; e) atleast one magnetic linear data region disposed on at least one of thefirst and second surfaces; f) an optical carriage engaging apertureformed in the card body to engage the card body to a rotatable drivemechanism of an optical data reader; g) a semiconductor memory chipembedded in the card body; and h) a plurality of recesses disposed inthe first planar surface to reduce the mass of the card body.